It's been nearly 20 years since Spring Logan of Tulare fell in love with Japanese animation known as anime. Marriage and two kids later, her attraction to the art is as strong as ever. "I like the art and storytelling," Logan said. "In Japan, they aren't afraid to use animation as a medium. Anime voice actors are treated like rock stars."
Logan, 35, her husband Frederick and sister Belle Morrow are members of Anime Visalia, a local anime club that meets monthly. Anime Visalia meetings are typically held the last Saturday of the month at the Tulare County Library.
Gregory Lipscomb, the clubs moderator, said the meetings are loose knit and no membership is required to join. The five-hour meetings include anime viewing, board games and video games. "Some come just for specific episodes depending on what they like," he said. "But anyone can come at any time."
Attendance at meetings is currently at about 30, but Lipscomb said it's different people all the time, including parents. "I applaud parents for coming to see what we have so they can make a decision on what their children can see," Lipscomb said. "We try and keep everything PG-13 or lighter but with the cultural differences sometimes things get by."
American influence
The popularity of Disney cartoons in the 1930s along with the American comics brought to Japan after World War II by American GIs inspired Japanese artist to create something similar, Lipscomb said.
Graphic novels known as manga were born and targeted to all ages. Traditional manga, Japanese for comics or cartoons, are read right to left. Some versions in the United States are flipped for American readers. Textbooks at major universities in Japan sometimes include manga to help teach subjects like electronics and quantum physics.
Anime Visalia meetings also include manga readings. "[Anime] is popular all over the world. It's a unique export from Japan," Lipscomb said. "It was inspired by American comics and animation and we're cashing in our dividends of inspiration after World War II."